A Review of the Projects Using Collective Intelligence in Policymaking

Choosing an appropriate method for studying collective intelligence in policymaking is a challenging task. In this chapter, I present an overview of past approaches to this issue. Then, a new method is introduced based on analyzing collective cognitive processes. The theoretical foundation for this method draws upon advancements in cognitive psychology and empirical research in the various fields of collective intelligence. The prepared evaluation framework includes processes such as (1) collective sensing, (2) problem-solving, (3) decision-making, and (4) collective memory. Separate attention is devoted to the issue of metacognition, understood as the capacity to monitor and regulate our cognitive abilities in the context of public policies. Subsequently, case studies are presented, for which the prepared evaluation framework is applied. The five described cases exemplify successful approaches to utilizing collective intelligence in online policymaking. These include the Civic Budget of the City of Kraków, Better Reykjavik, Loomio, Decide Madrid, and Deliberatorium. The chapter concludes with an overview of insights from the evaluated projects, with particular emphasis on the issue of collective memory.